Page "Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette" Paragraph 13

Returning to Paris, Lafayette found that the Continental Congress did not have the money for his voyage ; hence he acquired the sailing ship La Victoire himself.

The king officially forbade him to leave after British spies discovered his plan, and issued an order for Lafayette to join his father-in-law's regiment in Marseille, disobedience of which would be punishable by imprisonment.

The British ambassador ordered the seizure of the ship Lafayette was fitting out at Bordeaux, and Lafayette was threatened with arrest.

He travelled to Spain for support in the American cause.

On 20 April 1777, he sailed for America, disguised as a woman, leaving his pregnant wife in France.

The ship's captain intended to stop in the West Indies to sell cargo ; however Lafayette, fearful of arrest, bought the cargo to avoid docking at the islands.

He landed on North Island near Georgetown, South Carolina, on 13 June 1777.